Barea can't and didn't consistently defend LeBron in the post (of course). He did it mabye a couple (at most) of times in game 6 on switches?

Regardless, this series (and not because of Barea) was the main reason LeBron started working on his post game. His post game has evolved heaps and bounds. Did you watch yesterday's game?

I just mean if Barea can stop him on even an ocassion like that then, certainly Michael Jordan (one of the best defenders in the history) would be able to guard him in the post. I actually didn't catch yesterdays game though.

Whoever told you skies the limit is looking dumb because I'm 22 and i'm moonwalking on the sun.

I just mean if Barea can stop him on even an ocassion like that then, certainly Michael Jordan (one of the best defenders in the history) would be able to guard him in the post. I actually didn't catch yesterdays game though.

Watch it and come back after. If you still think Barea can defend LeBron in the post, well ... I'll just have to admire that.

I do not know if I buy Lebron beating Michael in the post. Lebron is not at his best in the low post, and he only really ever seems "unstoppable" to me when he is on the break with a head of steam. I dont know if taking jump hooks and post moves will beat Jordan. He has a size advantage sure, but I do not think that is all that matters.

JJ Barea is one of our generations greatest post defenders, by the way.

No one is talking rules either. MJ got to the line 8.2 times per game. With these new rules that down allow for the same physical play, who knows how many times MJ would get to the line?

But the new rules also allow for the defense to play zone and protect the paint as a team. In MJ's day, guys stuck a lot closer to who they were defending because of the Illegal Defense rule. MJ got hacked more on the perimeter, but guys played him that way because they had no choice but to play him like that, in order to keep him from getting easy drives. They would be forced to do the same thing to LeBron. And if MJ were playing today, teams would back off and play more zone, where they guard the paint as a unit. So why would MJ get more free throws? Guys wouldn't go up on him on the perimeter anymore. THey'd dare him to take 3s and make it harder for lanes to open up to the basket.

I personally think LeBron is a better team player, considering the fact he's a great passer, great rebounder, great defender, great slasher, not to mention his already pass-first mentality.

One-on-one? There's seriously no discussion aloud in my opinion, I would take Michael Jordan a hundred times out of a hundred times. Better shooter, better ball-handler, post-moves were unguardable. He just has so much more in his arsenal offensively.

Michael and LeBron are both great defensive players, so basically whoever is the better offensive player takes the cake. That's where I go with MJ.

Well this is clearly personal opinion, and I don't know how you can say that Shaq is better than Hakeem. Put either one on a team and they're an instant contender.

IMO, Hakeem was a much better all around player and would pick him 10 out of 10 times over Shaq (in a vacuum where they're the same age and such). Basically, I think of it like Hakeem needed a good team around him, but he also won a championship where Vernon Maxwell was the 2nd best player on his team....not Kobe Bryant, not Dwyane Wade...Vernon "the headcase" Maxwell. Shaq was dependent on having that 2nd elite scorer on the perimeter for a gameplan to work with him. Basically, Shaq needed more help for his team to dominate. Hakeem just needed guys who could knock down 3 pters.

*Edit: Not to suggest Shaq couldn't "dominate" on his own, especially in a single game. Rather just that he was a slightly more limited player, and they needed an elite perimeter scorer to bring things that ensured proper spacing and offensive balance.

Well this is clearly personal opinion, and I don't know how you can say that Shaq is better than Hakeem. Put either one on a team and they're an instant contender.

IMO, Hakeem was a much better all around player and would pick him 10 out of 10 times over Shaq (in a vacuum where they're the same age and such). Basically, I think of it like Hakeem needed a good team around him, but he also won a championship where Vernon Maxwell was the 2nd best player on his team....not Kobe Bryant, not Dwyane Wade...Vernon "the headcase" Maxwell. Shaq was dependent on having that 2nd elite scorer on the perimeter for a gameplan to work with him. Basically, Shaq needed more help for his team to dominate. Hakeem just needed guys who could knock down 3 pters.

*Edit: Not to suggest Shaq couldn't "dominate" on his own, especially in a single game. Rather just that he was a slightly more limited player, and they needed an elite perimeter scorer to bring things that ensured proper spacing and offensive balance.

Hakeem won his titles with plenty of other talent. Even the year prior to having Drexler, he had the above players + Otis Thorpe (former all-star). Vernon Maxwell wasn't even close to those teams 2nd best player.

Well this is clearly personal opinion, and I don't know how you can say that Shaq is better than Hakeem. Put either one on a team and they're an instant contender.

IMO, Hakeem was a much better all around player and would pick him 10 out of 10 times over Shaq (in a vacuum where they're the same age and such). Basically, I think of it like Hakeem needed a good team around him, but he also won a championship where Vernon Maxwell was the 2nd best player on his team....not Kobe Bryant, not Dwyane Wade...Vernon "the headcase" Maxwell. Shaq was dependent on having that 2nd elite scorer on the perimeter for a gameplan to work with him. Basically, Shaq needed more help for his team to dominate. Hakeem just needed guys who could knock down 3 pters.

*Edit: Not to suggest Shaq couldn't "dominate" on his own, especially in a single game. Rather just that he was a slightly more limited player, and they needed an elite perimeter scorer to bring things that ensured proper spacing and offensive balance.

Of course Shaq needed a lot more help than Hakeem. 4th quarter "Hack-A-Shaq" left him rendered useless on offense because the man couldn't hit a free throw to save his life; no matter the magnitude of the game. Well, at least he was consistent.

Hakeem won his titles with plenty of other talent. Even the year prior to having Drexler, he had the above players + Otis Thorpe (former all-star). Vernon Maxwell wasn't even close to those teams 2nd best player.

Umm....yes, he kind of was....maybe tied with Thorpe...

All the other guys were either at the end/beginning of their careers, or career role players. Maxwell was in his prime. They wanted an upgrade, because it's not a good thing if he's your 2nd best player, so in the 2nd title year they went after Drexler. Then Drexler became far and away the 2nd best player on that team.

Hakeem's teammates depended more on him to create for them and to elevate the team's performance. Shaq was not as good at that. Hakeem "carried" his team more. He is the better player.

Put it this way. Shaq dominated more with his physical attributes than actual skill but Hakeem was a much more complete and skilled player. Shaq was just bigger and stronger than everyone so he'd bully himself to the rim but he couldn't hit a jumpshot to save his life, not to mention Ft's. Hakeem had it all, low post game, mid range jumper, faceup game, up and unders, great shot blocking ability. I'd take Hakeem over Shaq any day

It's too easy to say that Shaq was all size and strength. He had a well developed game around the basket, including a very soft touch. (If you saw that soft touch you couldn't be but amazed at his inability to hit free throws). Shaq also had a high basketball iq (not refering to him talking about it on tv...) and was a very good passer.

Even if you say that he was all physical attributes, that's part of the game too. If it gets the job done it isn't less important than skill. But he had skill.

He let Paul George drive right buy him to posterize Birdman for an and one. He's a lazy defender, you people give him too much credit. Even Rudy Gay has his moments where he looks like a defensive pro but then he makes stupid ass mistakes and makes you forget about it.

LeBron is a lazy defender? That's why he was being strongly considered for Defensive Player of the Year, and a First Team All-Defensive Team selection?

That one example is a poor one to summarize a player's defense, you even answered it yourself, Rudy Gay has his moments but makes mistakes, and that's related to basically all players on defense. There's no one in this league that can really shut down a person from being able to score, especially in this league.

We give LeBron much credit for defense, because he deserves much credit. Can defend up to 4 positions, arguably 5, great help/rotation defender, can match him with the opposing team's best scorer, etc.

LeBron is a lazy defender? That's why he was being strongly considered for Defensive Player of the Year, and a First Team All-Defensive Team selection?

That one example is a poor one to summarize a player's defense, you even answered it yourself, Rudy Gay has his moments but makes mistakes, and that's related to basically all players on defense. There's no one in this league that can really shut down a person from being able to score, especially in this league.

We give LeBron much credit for defense, because he deserves much credit. Can defend up to 4 positions, arguably 5, great help/rotation defender, can match him with the opposing team's best scorer, etc.

He's an overrated defender and he gets away with a lot of things, I don't buy him being a good defender. Most of his advantages are all with his physical attributes and athleticism. Also, i never said you have to shut a guy down to be a good defender.